SAN FRANCISCO — Apple is teaming up with award-winning director Steven Spielberg for its first major push into TV programming.

The iPhone maker is bringing back Spielberg’s 30-year-old anthology series Amazing Stories in its attempt to build an online video subscription service that can challenge the digital networks operated by Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and HBO.

NBC Entertainment, which works with Spielberg’s Amblin Television on Amazing Stories, confirmed the deal in a Tuesday statement. Apple declined to comment.

Amazing Stories aired on NBC from 1985 to 1987 and won five Emmy awards for its mixture of science fiction and horror episodes, although the series was never a big hit in the ratings.

Apple is planning to spend about US$1-billion on original programming such as Amazing Stories over the next year.